Fire-extinguisher



(No Model.)

W. G. BROWNE.

, FIRE EXTINGUTSHER. No. 378,285. Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

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lIiviTnn drains PATENT rrica WALKER G. B tGlVXE, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC \VATER CUT-OFF COMPANY, OF GEORGIA.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,285, dated February 21, 1888.

Application filed March 1f 1581. Serial No. 231.038. (X0 modem Tu ail whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALKER G. BROWNE, a citizen of the United Eitates, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Fire- Extinguisher; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to thermal valves, and will be shown and described as applied to the class of fireextinguishers from which water is automatically discharged upon the fire from overhead or other convenient position near the fire on the rise of the temperature to any desired point by the heat ofthe fire, the object being to produce a reliable fire-extinguisher that shall be adjustable to discharge the water at any temperature that may be desired; and it consists of a valve, a compound plate, and connecting mechanism attached to a watersupply pipe having a dischargingorifice adapted to the position in which the device is placed, as herein fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central section through the valve and com pound plates, showing all of the operative parts. Fig. 2 is a view of the right-hand side, Fig. 1.

In the figures like reference-marks refer to corresponding parts in both views.

A is a water-supply pipe, and B is a branch water-pipe connected with said supply-pipe and opening freely into it.

G is a sprinklingnozzle attached to the branch pipe B, or forming a continuation of the same.

In the branch pipe B is the valve-seat D, against which rests the valve E. This valve E is held in its position by the pressure of the water in the direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. 1, and by the spring F. The spring F, however, is only an auxiliary force to assist the water-pressure in sealing the valve, and is necessary only when the water-pressure is very low. The valve E is provided with a stem, 6, around which the water is prevented from escaping by packing of any approved kind. To the lugs G, attached to the valvecasing, is hinged the oscillating fulcrum H. At the outer end of this fulcrum is hinged one end of the lever L. In a recess in the center of this lever is pivoted the outer end of the stem 6 of the valve. In the end of the lever opposite the hinge is the adj listing-screw M, which forms the connection between the lever L and the compound plate. The compound plate is formed of two strips of metal having diiferent expansive properties, the strip N being of a metal having low expansive property, preferably steel, and the strip 1 being of a metal having a high expansive property, preferably brass or zinc. This compound plate is hinged to the pipe B by the pivot Z), and the strips P and N are riveted or otherwise fastened togethen'so that the greater expansion of the strip I, on the rising of the temperature, will carry inwardly the end of the compound plate that is connectcd by the screw M to the lever L, thereby depressing the valve and causing it to open and allow the water to flow though it and discharge from the nozzle 0. This device is placed in such aposition,usually overhead, as to be exposed to the heat of accidental fires, the effect of which will cause the compound plates to open the valve, as above described.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that the lever L is bent at nearly a right angle, and that it has no fixed point on which it turns; also, that in being depressed from the position shown in that figure the fulcrum will be brought nearer to the line of motion of the resistance, and thereby increase the effective force of the lever and cause the valve to be more easily moved by the compound plate. The compound plate necessarily has such a length in proportion to its thickness as to prevent its having any great degree of rigidity. It

follows, therefore, when the expansive force of the outer strip of the compound plate shall become sufficient to overcome the expansion and elasticity of the inner strip to the extent of slightly opening the valve, that a considerable tension will he on the compound plate, and that by the decreasing force of the waterpressure behind the valve (caused by the fill- IOO ing up of the nozzle with water in consequence of the combined area of the sprinklingapertures being much less than that of the valve) and the increasing leverage of the compound plate on the valve the tension of the compound plate will force the valve open to a greater distance than would be the natural movement of the compound plate had there been no relief from the resistance to its action-that is to say, the tension at which the compound plate is set to start the valve is utilized in carrying the valve to a greater distance than is due to the natural difference in the expansion of the metals, owing, as before stated, to the relief of the valve from a portion of the pressure by the filling up of the nozzle with water.

I have described this invention as applied to fire-extinguishers; but it may be applied to any valve that is opened against a resisting force by a change of temperature. 1

I am aware that it is not new to operate the valve of an automatic sprinkler by means of a thermostatic spring, and therefore do not broadly claim such a construction.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- In a fireextinguisher, the water -supply pipe, branch pipe and nozzle, a valve, E, opening against a spring, the pressure of the water forming aresisting force, an elbow-lever, L,

having an oscillating fulcrum,and a compound 

